oil level BMW 330Ci COUPE 2001 E46 Owner's Manual

19n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Instrument cluster

1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp
for fuel reserve76
2 Indicator lamp for turn signal
indicator23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for:

>

Battery charge current20

>

High beams23

>

Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and Energy control75
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge
with "Coolant temperature too high"
indicator76
7 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for:

>

Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC/DBC)20

>
Antilock Brake System (ABS)22 > Brake pads22
>

Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)

*
20, 22

>

Airbags21

>

Please fasten safety belts21

>

Cruise control23
8 Set button for the clock789 Program display for automatic
transmission

*
69
Indicator lamp for automatic
transmission

*
21, 69
10 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

*
and ADB22
11 Indicator for:

>

Odometer75

>

Trip odometer75

>

Clock78

>

Service Interval76
Indicator for computer, operation
using the turn signal lever, refer to
page 77:

>

Clock

>

Outside temperature

>

Average fuel consumption
> Range >
Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control77
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero7514 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for:
>

Front fog lamps23

>

Add washer fluid22

>

Coolant level23

>

Electronic Throttle Control
(EML)

*
23

>

Service Engine Soon22
You can display the outside
temperature and distance driven
in different units of measurement.

<

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "

l

" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge

l


The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator V-belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not
continue driving, otherwise, the
engine could be damaged due to over-
heating. If the V-belt is defective,
increased steering effort is also
required.

<

Engine oil pressure


l


Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil and top off as
required. If the oil level is correct,
please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving. If you do
so, the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.

<


Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a tire failure has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately to stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information, refer to
page 85.
Brake hydraulic system l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before
driving further, be sure to read the
notes on pages 118 and 138.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

22n
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 116.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Lights up while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute
minimum; therefore, add engine oil as
soon as possible. Do not drive more
than 30 miles (50 km) until you do.
For additional information, refer to
page 135.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add more engine
oil the next time you stop for gas.
For additional information, refer to
page 135.
Brake pads l

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 118.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
Check tire inflation pressure:
refer to pages 27, 85.
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)
l
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive
force and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
ASC+T has been switched off by
means of the switch or it is defective,
or, the DSC has been turned off, ADB is
operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center
in the event of a malfunction.
For additional information, refer to
page 82.
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) and
brake warning lamp l
The indicator lamps remain on:
The DSC and ADB are switched
off by means of the switch or are defec-
tive.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 82.
Indicator and warning lamps
DSC and ADB for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 134.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 149.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.

76n
Fuel gauge Temperature gauge Service Interval Display When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
Once the indicator lamp stays on
continuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons (8 liters) of fuel remaining in
the fuel tank.
For fuel tank capacity, refer to page 187.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended
driving in mountainous areas, for
example), there may be slight fluctua-
tions of the needle.
Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty. Driving to the last drop of
fuel can result in damage to the engine
and/or the catalytic converter.<462us020
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle: the engine is overheated.
Stop and switch the engine off immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not
unusual for the needle to rise as far as
the edge of the red zone in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions. Checking coolant
level: refer to page 137.460de082
Remaining distance for serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 or after the
engine is started.
The next service due appears with the
message OILSERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the distance remaining
before the next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the previous
driving style.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of
the number mean that the service
interval has already been exceeded by
the distance shown on the display.
Please contact your BMW center for an
appointment.46cus006

126n

Winter tires

Choosing the right tire

BMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter
road conditions. So-called all-season
tires with the M+S identification mark
do indeed possess better winter trac-
tion than summer tires that have the H,
V, W, Y and ZR speed ratings, they
generally fail to provide the same levels
of performance as winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer having
the same tread configuration on all four
wheels.
Mount only winter tires which have
been approved by BMW. Any BMW
center will be glad to provide you with
information on the best winter tires for
your particular driving conditions.

Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds

Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.

<

Tire condition, tire pressure

Winter tires display a perceptible loss in
their ability to cope with winter driving
conditions once the tread wears to
below 0.16 in (4 mm), and therefore in
the interest of safety, should be
replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures Ð and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.

Storage

Always store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel.

Snow chains

*
Use narrow-link BMW snow chains


on
winter tires only in pairs and only on the
rear wheels. Comply with all manufac-
turer's safety precautions when mount-
ing the chains.

135n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking the oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar
material.
4 Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out
again.
5 The oil level should be between the
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.462de244
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, never let the oil drop below
the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential and the
power steering.<462de245

137n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oil Coolant
Always observe all environmental
protection laws when disposing of
used oil.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center only.
Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing.
For this reason, thoroughly wash any
areas of skin that come into contact
with oil using soap and water.
Always store oils, grease and similar
materials so that they are inaccessible
to children. Comply with warning labels
and information on containers.<
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot. If
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant
can cause burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, never use anything other than fac-
tory-approved, nitrite and amino-free
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Your BMW center is familiar
with the official specifications.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. You should always
store it in its original container and in a
location that is inaccessible to children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor contains ethylene glycol, a
flammable substance. For this reason,
do not spill antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor on hot engine parts. It could
ignite and cause burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor.<
Checking coolant levelCorrect coolant level for cold engine
(approx. 68 7 or +20 6):
Unscrew the cap from the expansion
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is at least
even with the upper edge of the filler
neck (refer to the arrow in the illustra-
tion), but no more than 0.8 in (2 cm)
above it Ð that is, up to the second mark
on the float (refer also to the schematic
diagram next to the filler neck).46cde036

142n
Caring for your vehicleExterior finish To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
using special body-cavity protectants,
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to
the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied. Regular maintenance makes
an important contribution to maintaining
the safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on
vehicle finishes have led paint and
vehicle manufacturers to initiate
ongoing programs designed to further
improve the durability of their finishes.
Despite this, environmental factors that
occur locally or regionally can have
negative effects on the finish of your
vehicle. Use the factors to determine
the frequency and extent of your efforts
to maintain the vehicle finish.Depending upon material and type of
impact (perforation of paint layer),
physical stresses from sand, road salt,
gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to
start extending beneath the finish,
starting at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects,
animal droppings (strong alkali effect)
and tree excretions (resins and pollen)
all contain substances capable of
causing damage when allowed to
remain on the finish of your vehicle for
any period of time. This includes spots,
etching, flaking, and separations in the
top coat.
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other
environmental pollutants will damage
the vehicle's finish unless adequate
care is provided Ð even though this is
generally limited to the outside
horizontal surfaces.In coastal regions, high levels of atmo-
spheric salt and humidity promote
corrosion.
In tropical zones, temperatures of over
105 7 (+40 6) in the shade prevail, in
addition to heavy ultraviolet radiation
and high humidity. Under these condi-
tions, light paints can reach tempera-
tures of up to 175 7 (+80 6) and dark
paints up to 250 7 (+120 6).

143n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your vehicleCaring for the vehicle's finish Regular washing is a preventive
measure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the
vehicle's finish, especially if you drive
your vehicle in areas with high levels of
air pollution or aggressive natural
substances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive
substances. Failure to do so can
lead to changes in the paint's chemical
structure or to discoloration. Gasoline
spilled during refueling, oil, grease and
brake fluid should always be cleaned
away immediately, as should bird drop-
pings.
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean
cloth or cotton pad to remove. Remove
tar spots with tar remover. After
cleaning, the affected areas should be
waxed to ensure continued protection.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<
Waxing your vehicle Protect the finish using carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes only.
The best way to determine when the
finish needs to be waxed is by noting
when water stops beading on the
surface.
You can use a glass cleaner to remove
any wax or silicone that may have been
left on the windows during waxing.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<
Paint damageYou can touch up small areas of paint
damage with a BMW spray paint or a
BMW touchup stick.
The paint color code for your vehicle
is provided on a sticker located on the
right hand-side under the hood and on
the first page of your Service and
Warranty Information Booklet (US
models) or Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian models).
Damage caused by flying stones,
scratches, etc., must be touched up
without delay to prevent rust from
forming.
If corrosion has started to form in an
area with paint damage, remove all rust
and clean the area. Then prime the area
with a BMW Primer Stick. Finally, apply
the finish coat. Wait a few days, then
polish the repaired area. Finish by
applying a wax preservative.
More extensive paint damage should
be repaired professionally in accor-
dance with the manufacturer's instruc-
tions. Your BMW center uses original
BMW finish materials in accordance
with approved repair procedures.

Everything from A to ZEngine oil135
adding135
capacity187
consumption135
level check135
pressure20
quality136
specifications136
viscosity136
Engine speed184
Engine, starting63
Engine, switching off64
Entry to the rear49
Exterior mirrors52
Eyelets, towing169 F
Failure messages77
Fault displays77
Fault, ABS116
Filling capacities187
Filling the washer
reservoir187
First-aid kit25
Fittings, towing and tow
starting169
Flashlight102
Flat tire122,159
Floor mat41
Floor panel, lift and hook41
Fog lamps88 Folding rear backrest106
Follow-Me-Home lamps87
Footbrake117
Footwell lamps88
bulb replacement158
Front fog lamps, bulb
replacement155
Front seat, adjusting47
Frost protection,
radiator137
Fuel27
Fuel consumption79
Fuel consumption
display76
Fuel filler cap26
Fuel filler door26
unlock in case of electrical
fault167
Fuel gauge76
Fuel quality27
Fuel reserve indicator
lamp76
Fuel specifications27
Fuel tank capacity187
Fuel tank gauge76
Functional status180
Fuses166
G
Gasoline27
Gasoline gauge76
Glove compartment102
Glove compartment lamp
bulb replacement158
Gross vehicle weight186 H
Handbrake65
Handsfree system104
Hazard warning flashers25
Hazard warning triangle25
Head restraints48
Headlamp cover,
care141,153
Headlamp flasher70,88
Headlamp washer
system72,134,187
Headlamps87
Heated seats101
Heating, rapid94
Heavy loads108
Height185
HiFi system Ð harman
kardon101
High beams23,70,88
bulb replacement153
High Performance Synthetic
Oil136
High-mount brake lamp157 Hood130
release130
Horn17
Hubcap161
Hydraulic Brake assistent,
refer to DBC
I
Ice warning79
Icy roads79
Identification,
tires125,127
Ignition key32
Ignition lock63
Imprint4
Indicator lamps20
Inflation
pressure27,85,122
monitoring27,85,179
INSPECTION76
Instrument cluster18
Instrument panel16,18
Instrument panel lighting87
Interaxle tire rotation124
Interface socket for Onboard
Diagnostics149
Interference, cellular
phones121
Interior lamps36,88
bulb replacement157
remote control36